Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
S
TUDENT
H
ANDOUT
1:
Toxicological Factors
Threshold (aka. LOEL): The threshold of effectiveness is the dose along a dose-response curve where you begin to observe an effect on the study organism. In toxicology, this point is known as the LOEL (Lowest Observable Effect Level). Mark this on your dose-response curve. **Note: Use the LOEL values from Mold Control! experiment.
LD
100
(Lethal Dose 100%): There is also a specific dose at which the effect does not increase, despite increasing dose. This is the point along a dose-response curve where all of the test population is killed or you observe 100% death. This is called the LD
100
(lethal dose 100%), and is the lowest dose that kills 100% of the yeast colonies. **Note: Use the LD
100
values
from Mold Control! experiment.
LD
50
(Lethal Dose 50%): Toxicologists use the LD
50 different chemicals. LD
50 value to compare the toxicities of
is the dose at which 50% of the test population is killed. **Note:
Use the LD
50
values from Mold Control! experiment.
Pesticide Signal Words: Pesticides are defined as chemicals used to prevent, destroy, or repel pests: insect, mice, weeds, fungi, and bacteria. Pesticides also include household products, such as disinfectants or cleaners that are used to destroy the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi on household surfaces. The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) registers and regulates pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These products must meet some basic standards: (1) the product will not cause harmful effects to human health or the environment and (2) that product labeling must meet FIFRA requirements.
The signal words used on pesticide labels are based on the degree of toxicity or how poisonous the product is, and use the oral Lethal Dose 50 (LD signal words are determined for use on pesticide labels.
50
) of the substance, expressed in milligrams of chemical per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). Table 1 indicates how
Note**: If there is no signal word on a product, then it is not hazardous.
Signal Words Toxicity
Oral LD
50
(mg/kg)
DANGER-POISON
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION highly toxic highly toxic/corrosive moderately toxic slightly toxic
Examples
0 - 50 indoor/outdoor insect killer
0 - 50 toilet bowl cleaner
50 - 500 flea spray
500 - 5,000 rat killer, ethanol
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
Funded by NIEHS grant #1
R25 ES10721

Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
Safety Instructions: Besides signal words, product labels contain other important information, such as instructions for safe handling, use, and storage; active ingredients; and first aid safety. As a consumer, make it a habit to read all label information before using any product. Does this product require special equipment like gloves, eye protection, or ventilation? **Note: Gather safety instructions from the product labels.
Product Marketing
Product Appeal: Household cleaning products often have odors which make them unappealing or fragrances that be either appealing or unappealing to certain people. Is this product pleasing to you?
Cost: What is the price of each product? Is this product worth the price for the job it will do for you?
Non-damaging to surfaces: Some household cleaning products are not made to clean certain types of surfaces. Is this product compatible with the surface of your shower? Is the product safe for “non-scratch” surfaces?
Ease of use: Is this product difficult to use? Do you need to mix or dilute it before you use it?
Synthetic vs. Natural Chemicals: We manufacture a wide variety of synthetic chemicals found in products such as cleaners, deodorants, food additives, and pesticides. A common misconception is that all chemicals produced by nature are safe and whereas synthetic chemicals are harmful and exposure to synthetic chemicals will in all cases cause adverse health effect like cancer. While it is true that some synthetic chemicals are highly toxic to humans, it is also true that many synthetic chemicals are harmless when used as directed by product labeling.
Other Issues:
Product Endorsement: Antimicrobial pesticides, biocides, or detergents may or may not be endorsed to control or kill mold by agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency or American Lung Association.
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.
Section Entitled “Cleanup and Biocides”. www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html
2. American Lung Association. www.lungusa.org/
Individual Susceptibility: Humans can have differences in their reactions to certain household chemicals after the same amount of exposure. A person’s body size, age, gender, race and health status (for example, whether someone has allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities) can affect individual susceptibility. You might need to consider whether
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
2

Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
P ESTICIDE L ABELS FOR M OLD C ONTROL :
LYSOL® DISINFECTANT – Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner
FRONT LABEL
BACK LABEL
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
3

Environmental Health Sciences Center
P ESTICIDE L ABELS FOR M OLD C ONTROL :
HEINZ® - Vinegar
Community Outreach & Education Program
Heinz Distilled White Vinegar is made from sun-ripened grain and crystal clear water. With its clean, crisp flavor, it’s ideal for your favorite marinades, salads and recipes. And Heinz
Distilled White Vinegar is guaranteed to have the full 5% activity required for successful canning and pickling.
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
4

Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
TILEX® – Mildew Remover
P ESTICIDE L ABELS FOR M OLD C ONTROL :
FRONT LABEL
BACK LABEL
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
5

Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
S TUDENT W ORKSHEET 1: H OUSEHOLD P RODUCT C OMPARISON
I
NSTRUCTIONS
Product
Criteria
Tilex®
Lysol® Antibacterial
Kitchen Cleaner
Vinegar
Threshold (LOEL)
LD
100
LD
50
Toxicity
Signal Words
Safety Instructions
Product Appeal? Y/N
Cost
Non-damaging to
Surfaces? Y/N
Ease of Use
Synthetic vs. Natural
Product
Other:
Other:
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
6

Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach & Education Program
____________________________________
S
TUDENT
W
ORKSHEET
2: D
ECISION
A
NALYSIS
C
HART
I NSTRUCTIONS : You are going to use a decision analysis chart to decide what cleaning product to clean the mildew in your shower. You will rank the products using three criteria: (a)
Effectiveness, (b) Safety, and (c) Personal Preference. Consider each factor one at a time and rank each product using the scale below.
P ROBLEM S TATEMENT : W HAT SHOULD I USE TO CLEAN THE MILDEW IN MY SHOWER ?
C
LEANING
P
RODUCT
O
PTIONS
D
ECISION
C
RITERIA
&
F ACTORS
Tilex® Lysol® Vinegar
Other
Product:
Effectiveness: Based on each of the three factors listed below which product do you think is the most effective? 1 = Least Effective, 2 = Moderately Effective, 3 = Most Effective
Threshold (LOEL)
LD
100
LD
50
Safety: Based on each of the three factors listed below which product do you think is the most safe? 1 = Least Safe, 2 = Moderately Safe, 3 = Most Safe
Toxicity
Signal Words
Safety Instructions
Individual Preference: Based on each of the five factors listed below which product is the most appealing? 1 = Least Appealing, 2 = Moderately Appealing, 3 = Most Appealing
Product Appeal?
Cost
Non-damaging to
Surfaces?
Ease of Use
Synthetic vs. Natural
Other Criteria:
Factor #1:
Factor #2:
Total Product Score:
M
YSTERIOUS
I
LLNESS
O
UTBREAK
– What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
HYDROVILLE CURRICULUM PROJECT  2004, Oregon State University http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/outreach.htm
7